Heart attack symptoms every woman needs to know – and some are surprising

Heart disease affects millions of women in the UK, yet lots of us don’t know all the symptoms of heart attacks.

According to the British Heart Foundation, more than 70 women die from a heart attack every day – but often cardiac problems are misdiagnosed in women because they can present themselves differently.

We all know chest pain and shortness of breath could mean you are having a heart attack, but there are actually other lesser-known indicators you might not be aware of.

One woman’s story has gone viral as she shares her experience of what it really feels like to have one – and some of the symptoms are not what you’d expect.

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Posting on Twitter, the nurse told of how she had a 95 per cent blockage in her heart, but never had chest pains.

“I want to warn women our heart attacks feel different

“The pain ran across my upper back, shoulder blades and equally down both arms,” she wrote.

“It felt like burning and aching.

“I actually thought it was muscle strain. It wasn’t until I broke into drenching sweat and started vomiting that I called 911.”

Fortunately she lived, after having four stents placed an hour after arriving in the emergency room.

Her story is not unusual, the NHS and British Heart Foundation (BHF) both say that women’s symptoms can differ from the typical chest pain – although it can be true for men too.

It’s important to know the signs can be different (Image: Getty Images)

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“A heart attack in women can present itself differently,” Professor Collins writes on BHF website, “perhaps as pain in the back between the shoulders. Or a patient may have an episode of nausea and vomiting without chest pain.”

He said that the reasons for this are complex, but that oestrogen production could mean that women have a higher pain threshold.

Unfortunately, women are also more likely to be misdiagnosed following a heart attack, so it’s very important to be aware of the signs and symptoms.

These include: chest pain, tightness or pressure, pain in other parts of the body such as arms, jaw, neck, back and abdomen, feeling lightheaded or dizzy, sweating, nausea, shortness of breath and an overwhelming feeling of anxiety.

If you think you’re having a heart attack, phone 999 immediately. Do this even if you’re not totally sure it’s a heart attack.